Between Solstice and the last new moon of 2011, I emptied 225 gallons of human waste onto the humanure compost pile capping this year’s humble pile vintage 2011. The pile enters the winter measuring 15’ x 5’ x 3; or just short of 4.5 cubic yards which is roughly 5-6 small pick up truck’s worth.

By spring, the volume of this pile will be reduced by about 20-30% due to decomposition and evaporation. The sawdust that the waste is mixed with serves as the carbon for its nitrogen as well as a bulking agent for the end product.

Bottom left image: Cosmos inside a bin, Bottom right image: An orb of savory cabbage